swag72

I've done a video that probably should have been the first one! Giving an overview to the APP environment - I'd like to say that I am not affiliated to APP in any way, but I rate the software highly so far and would like to make it easier for people and a reference for me too!!

I'm enjoying working out this software..... I've just done a video on how to create a BPM 

7 hours ago, kirkster501 said:

How would a QSI or MI  connect to the FSQ 85 reducer anyone know?  I asked Ian King today and waiting for him to reply but wondered if anyone knew?

Easy! Ian will sell you an adapter for the QSI that gives you the correct spacing from the reducer to the chip. With the Moravian you will have to get your own made.... easy enough as there's a couple of good guys out there who will make what you want that I can recommend. The QSI requires NO input from you! The Moravain will require measuring and then getting someone to make it. I have a picture of the adapter I had made so that there's no ambiguity about what you'd need with regards end threads that I can send you if you go down that route.

If you get the Moravian with the internal 5 wheel carousel then I can even give you the measurements that I used to get the spacing  

Thanks to your reminder with this thread, I went to download it and give it a go.

The first and only test so far has been stitching together a 6 pane mosaic with only 1x600s per pane as I wanted to make sure that it all stitched together before I continued to get data. There were some teething problems for sure, but the forum was a great place for help. In the end, I got out of it a perfectly acceptable mosaic. There were no joins and it all matched up better than when a friend of mine did it in PI.

I will certainly try it again for mosaic stitching when I get the data.... it looks like a MUCH easier process than PI once you get an idea of what to press!!! 

Here's my dual...... it works well..... finally!

Surely a review is ones own personal thoughts about something.... how well it matches what YOU want it to do, whether it matches YOUR expectations based on YOUR requirements. I can't believe that this is even being bought into question...... The OP wrote what he thought and whether someone else felt it was balanced or not is neither here nor there in my view. Just as well no one asks me for my thoughts on the ED120....  

Keep it up Jules and please don't feel that your views are not valid or worthwhile.... they totally are

That looks great!!!! I guess that at times we are lucky in our astro lives and get a dream scope!!! Well done

8 hours ago, Adam J said:

.....and ill stand by it, if your going to spend over 3k on a camera I would not be buying one with a KAF8300 in it.

Horses for courses...... I would still spend over £3k on a KAF8300  

5 minutes ago, tomato said:

..... Looks like I'm going with the Moravian.....

 

I don't for one minute think you'll regret it ..... there's nothing wrong with it at all and other than the things I said, which would be a deal breaker for me, it performs equally to the QSI for sure.

I run both the G2-8300 and the QSI 683...... My first question is if you are looking at the integrated filter wheel for the Moravian why will the filters be more expensive? I use 1.25" mounted filters in both and there's absolutely no problem...... nothing that decent flats won't remove.

Is the QSI worth the extra money over the Moravian? I think it depends. If I was only running one rig then yes I'd get the QSI.

1. Don't underestimate the 8 position carousel so that you never have to open the camera up.... the Moravian integrated wheel is only 5 positions, so if you want a full set of LRGB and NB filters in it, then forget it. 
2. The built in OAG on the QSI makes it about as plug and play as you can get. The Lodestar screws directly in and once focused and rotated then it just works. IKI sells the correct spacing adapter for the QSI and Tak's at least (I don't know about anything else) so there is NO faffing around with spacing. The Moravian doesn't have a built in OAG, you have to buy it separate and screw it into the imaging train. That means that you'll have to work out spacing (unless someone has a bespoke adapter made)......... to me that's worth some ££'s.

Build quality - I'd say that the QSI just noses it, but not by enough to make a difference. The cooling is slightly better on the QSI, but again nothing of importance. 

Don't be put off by the KAF8300 chip - It is really is good despite many people saying that it's long in the tooth etc. If I had a bottomless pit of money and could afford the larger KAF16200 then sure I would, but that would involve new filters and probably new scopes as I don't think they'd cover the sensor size. I've learnt that astro certainly does involve compromises for people who are not millionaires!! 

6 hours ago, John said:

Does the 152 / 1200 have a LZOS objective lens Sara ?

Superb looking setup, whatever

Oh yes!!! Original paperwork and serial number 109

6 minutes ago, sloz1664 said:

Bring it on....We love a duel

 

I do need to do some comparison - It makes no sense to have both scopes........ One will need to go 

12 minutes ago, sloz1664 said:

Blimey Sara, another beast on a beast

Steve

I couldn't resist it!!! It's a monster for sure! ...... Which is better though? TMB or ODK10? ............... There's some imaging to be done  

The official photoshoot.......

TMB152/1200 on a Mesu 200 .... I can't get far enough back with the camera to get it all in comfortably  

The latest Frac means I need an observatory extension!!! 

An interesting shape pier Harry... Can I ask why it's not straight as we normally see?

This is a great FOV and a most pleasing image - Good to see you back James  Don't leave it so long next time

I have stuck with 1.25" filters throughout my CCD life... They have been a little restrictive in the last upgrade to a Kodak KAF8300 sensor as the sensor needs the filters very close... to that end I've needed a camera with a built in filter wheel. But I'm happy enough with them and I don't see myself getting a larger sensor... not only would I have to fund new larger filters, but my scopes imaging circle don't cover the large sensors... so that's that

1 hour ago, harry page said:

Hope yours is sorted now ?

I hope so Harry  I've had almost zero imaging time since the software fix

Nice one Harry - I am sure that you will be happy with it - A very nice mount

Here's one of them ....... loaded up on the new Prima Luce PLUS mounting system that I hope will solve my flexure

Hi and welcome back!!!

Just out of interest Gina - Is there a problem with your EQ8 as to why you are trying to avoid guiding?

The summer is such a lovely time for Cygnus ..... There's enough to keep you busy at all focal lengths. 

I'd personally look at the 400mm focal length and the Esprit....... You could line up the Esprit and ST80's and get NB on the ST80's and luminance on the Esprit - All on the EQ8.

But I guess with so many choices I guess I'd be considering which one you feel would be more productive in terms of least time lost in setup and trouble shooting. You want to be up and running and gathering the maximum amount of data with mimimal fuss...... which of the rigs would give you this? How about starting simple and just running the Esprit with the new ASI1600 (or the 460 if the ASI1600 gives any connectivity problems )

Sure there's a lot to be said for getting loads of data, but if it's been a while and you are feeling in the slightest bit daunted with more than one setup running at once... then just concentrate on one scope (the easiest) and one camera (the easiest!) Start small and simple - there's some lovely mono Ha in Cygnus - then adjust things when you feel it's the right time.